Buckle



Oct. 30, 1951 w wHlTE 2,573,527

BUCKLE Filed May 29, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 1N1 'EN TOR.

W wluie Oct. 30, 1951 P w, w 2,573,527

BUCKLE I Filed May 29, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN V EN TOR.

Paul ZZ). LD/LzZe Y MWWW . diio 123 15 Patented Oct. 30, 1951 BUCKLE Paul W. White, Mount Carmel, Conn., assignor to Parva Products Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application May 29, 1948, Serial No. 30,061

V This invention relates to buckles, more particularly to slide buckles or devices adapted to be mounted on straps, bands or the like for the support of garments or other objects on the person, and the invention has for an object the provision of improved buckles of this type which are capable of wide application and adapted for use on straps or hands of Varying thickness.

Slide buckles embodying the present invention maybe adapted for various uses and while the embodiments herein shown are intended for use as suspender and lingerie buckles, the invention may be employed for other purposes, either with or without slight variations from the particular construction shown, and in fact, may be employed universally where detachable and adjustableconmotions are desired.

It has heretofore been proposed in slide buckle constructions to provide a resilient covering for one of the strap gripping cross-bars by wrapping a portion of the strap therearound, various such buckle constructions being shown in the applicants prior reissue patent Re. 22,040, issued February 24, 1942, for Buckle, but the provision in such buckles of a center cross-bar or similar member on the buckle frame over which the strap is threaded, has imposed definite limitations on the flexibility of application of such buckles to straps of varying thickness. Accordingly, it is a further object of this invention to provide a simple slide buckle construction which is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, readily threadable by the user and which may be applied with a greater degree of reliability than has heretofore been possible, to straps or hands widely varying in thickness without encountering slippage or difiiculty of adjustment.

In carrying out the invention in one form, a slide buckle is provided comprising a frame and a slide which are disposed in longitudinally slidable face-to-face relation and provided with cooperating cross-bars for clamping a strap portion threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of the frame and slide, and a cover of resilient material for-one ofgthe cooperating cross-bars is provided for engagement with the threaded strap portion, the slidecross-bar havin a transverse slot therein whereby the resilient cover may be selectively applied either to a portion of the slotted cross-bar on one side of the slot, or to the entire cross-bar, depending upon the, thickness of the threaded strap portion. More particularly, the frame includes a single, strap receiving opening which is of greater width than the Slide cross-bar and a 6 Claims. (01. 24-196) portion of the slide cross-bar is disposed on one side of the plane of the frame so that a strap threaded through the frame from the other side .thereof, then over the slide cross-bar and back through the frame will be substantially distorted out of the plane of the frame, and the other portion of the slide cross-bar is inclined in a plane across the path of relative movement of the frame and slide.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should now be had to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective View of a slide buckle embodying the present invention showing the frame and slide in disassembled relation;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the buckle of Fig. 1 with the frame and slide in assembled relation;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the buckle shown in Fig. 1 threaded for use as a suspender;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 4'4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the buckle applied to a strap of lesser thickness than that of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a similar longitudinal sectional view showing the buckle applied to a strap of greater thickness than that of Fig. 4';

Figs. 7 and 8 are front plan views respectively showing the slide and frame of a buckle constituting a further embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a side view of a buckle embodying the frame and slide of Figs. 7 and 8 in assembled relation;

Fig. 10 is a front view showing another form of slide that may be employed with the frame of Fig. 8 to provide a buckle constituting a still further embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a buckle made up of the frame and slide of Figs. 8 and 10 threaded for use on lingerie; and

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 11 but showingv the buckle threaded with a thinner strap than that employed in Fig. 11.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the invention is shown as embodied in a buckle 20 which comprises a frame 2| having cross-bars 22 and 23 connected by end-bars 24 and 25 to form a single strap receiving opening 26. The endbars 24 and 25 are provided with rearwardly extending flanges 21 and 28 which terminate in inwardly extending lips 29 to form guide channels in which the slide of the buckle is supported for relative longitudinal movementwith respect to the frame 2|. In addition, the buckle 20 comprises a slide 30 which consists of a single cross-bar 3| having a slot 32, which extends transversely of the path of movement of the slide and divides the cross-bar 3| into portions 33 and 34. At its opposite ends the cross-bar 3| of the slide 30 is formed to provide runners or side-bars 35 adapted to be received within. the guidelchannels of the frame 2|. As shown best in Fig; 2; the cross-bar distortion of the threaded part of the strap portion 4| and the combination of these two features assures proper functioning of the buckle even though the thinner strap is employed. a

In Fig. 6, the buckle 20 is shown as applied to a very heav strap in which the usual suspender loop is provided by the strap portions 50 and 5|,

:fth'erstrapzportion 50 beingwrappediaround only the cross-bar portion 34' of the slide 30 and the 3| of the slide 30 is so formed that the portion 3.3V 1 St p Portion being t a t i th thereof is inclined with respect to the path of' movement of the slide and the portion 34 of the slide cross-bar extends above the upper face of the frame cross-bars 22 and 23as viewed-in#liigi 2.

frame 2| exactly as in Figs. 4 and 5. Upon ap-- .-plication of tension to the strap portions shown in Fig. 6 longitudinal movement of the frame 2| and: thesli'de 3fl again occurs, but in this case When intended for use as a suspender buckle, onlythestrap portion 5| is clamped between the the suspender loop is adapted to be secured to 0 portion trousers -or- 'other garmentsirr the usual fashion.

A "ss-hown'=in Figs l-the end of -the-strap portion" 36 iswra-pped around the-inclined portion 33 of the slide cross-ban and secured by stitching 38 although any" other suitable manner -or securemeht may be employed.

The-strap portion 31 which forms the-front "strandof the loop is threaded as shown. behind the crossbar 23 ofthe frame 2|, through the 'strap receiving' opening "28'; over the front of the "slide 3D, and -'-then "back" th-rough the strap receiving opening so as to pass rearward-ly of' the frame cross-bar 22;" thethreadedportion ofthe strap 31 beingthus "distorted forwardly from the buckle frame by the cross-bar portion 3fl on the slide. v The end of the strap portion 36, which is. wrapped around the cross-bar '33, forms a resilient or. fabric covering for 'the' -cross-bar portion 33fand' when tension is-ap'plied to the suspender-loop andto the strap portion 31-as in- -'dicated,; by the arrows 39'; the 'frame 2| -and the slide 30" will move longitudinally-so as toclamp both the wrapped around partof the strap portion 36 =-and the threadedpart of thestrap portion 31betw een theintzlined cross-bar por- 4 tion 33=0n the slide'and'thecross-bar 23 on the frame. 'The frictional engagement of thetwo clamped strap portionsassists'in-holding the buck-1e against slippage and"the distortion imparted to the strap portion3'Fby the-cross-bar o portion 34- insures that'the strap-portion 31' will properly engage the cross-bar 22 on the buckle frame to provide a proper'pull up and tighteningaction.

In Fig. 5, the buckle is shown as applied to a somewhat thinner suspender strap in which the conventional loop isformed by the 'strappor- 'tions 4U'and'4 the end of the strap portion 40 in this case, being wrapped around'both'the crossbar porti0ns'33 andf34 of thesli'deand the strap portion 4|1beingthreaded through the buckle exactly as;in Fig. .4. "Again'when. tension isiapplied .to. the strap; portions, relative longitudinal movement between the frame 2| and the slide will clamp theresilient covering for the crossbar portion 33. and the strap" portion 4| between the" cross-bar 33"on the slide and .the cross bar 23 on theframeQZl. .However, in this case, it will'be observed that when in clamping position a" greater lengthof the. strap] portionM" .is'engaged' by the part of the strapportionl which is" wrapped" around. the' slide so as to". provide a greater frictional engagement, and" at" the same timethe part ofthestrap portion Mlwhi'chextends over the cross=bar portion 34- add t he "cross 'barportiom33 of the slide and the crossobar..--23-.-of theeframe. However, the frictional engagement between the part of the strap portionwhich is wrapped around the cross-bar and the threaded part of the strap portion 5| ,.together withitheincreased pull'up force achieved by ther-maximum. distortion of: the thicker strap, provides adequateholding -.so .as to. preventslippage; while; at, the same time suf- 25 ficient'clearance is provided to-:permit easy. ad-

justment' of the. buckle even with the heavier strap.

It will-thusbeseen thataanimproved: slide buckle has. been. provided which by: virtue of the :slotrin thecross-bar slide may-be successfully employed upon straps varyingvin thickness over a wide range withoutinterfering either with the ready adjustment of the: bucklerona the strap or the ability. of the buckle .to clamp the strap againstislipping.

In the embodiment" of the: invention shownz-in Figs. 7, 8, and 9 the guide channel'formaintaining thev frame and the'slide in.- assembled; relation .are'omitted, and the slide-isr-adapted:merelyxto 40 rest-on the end crossebars ,of-the'frame and to:be

held in: position by the tension. forces applied: to

the strap; Thus, as shown 'inzFig- 8,."the -frame r52 constitutes merely a rectangular member having; cross-bars 53 and 54; connected. byend-bars 55 and 56 50 as todefinea strap receiving opening 51, and the'slide 58, shown' 'in Fig; 7; constitutes merely an elongated metal strip forming across.- =bar:59 having a slot 60- therein which divide the cross-barintwo spaced portions BI and 62; As shown :in' Fig. 9,- the slide: 58 isadapted to engage the" front of the frame 52; .the cross-bar portion 1620f: the slide being inclined asshown so aswto extend across the plane of longitudinal movement, and the end'portions 63'and 64 of the slide 5 reston the'end cross-bars55 and 56, respectively,

50 around either the cross-bar portion 62 alone; the

cross-bar portion 6 alone, or both cross-bar portions, depending'upon the thickness of the strap, and it will be apparent that theapplication of tension to the strap will serve to maintain the frame of the slide in face-to-face engagement during longitudinal movement and during clamping ofthe strap. 7 v

In some cases, it may be sufficient to omit the inclined planefeature of-the slide and to use a 'simple-straight'slide ofthetype indicated bythe reference numeral 63 'in Fig'. -10;wherein aslot 64 serves to divide the slide-in two; cross-barpor- 7 tions ii-ll and 66-. In Figs. l'1'and12 a buckle -comprising the frame 52' of Fig-rfi andithe slide-63 5. buckle. Thus in Fig. 11' a loop of fabric 6ll'is wrapped around the cross-bar 66 on the slide'63 and is secured, as for example by stitching 68, to a slip or similar article of apparel 69.- The shoulder strap 10 which forms a part of thegarment is then threaded in front of the cross-bar 54 of the frame 52, through the strap receiving opening 51, over the back of the slide 63, and through the strap receiving opening so as to pass in front of the cross-bar 54 whereby the loose end 1| of the strap 10 is disposed behind the loop 61 and the top of the garment 69. When tension is applied to the shoulder strap 10 relative longitudinal movement between the frame 52 and the slide 63 will effect clamping of the loop 61 and the threaded portion of the shoulder strap by the cross-bar portion 66 on the slide and the crossbar portion 53 on the frame.

' In Fig. 12 the same buckle is shown applied to a garment l2 employing a somewhat thinner shoulder strap 13 and in this case the loop 14- which is secured to the garment 1 2 as by stitching 15 is wrapped around the cross-bar 65 on the slide 53 so that both strands of the loop 14 pass in back of the cross-bar portion 66. Consequently, increased frictional engagement between the loop 14 and the threaded portion of the shoulder strap 13 is obtained together with increased distortion of the threaded portion whereby satisfactory clamping action is obtained so as to prevent slippage of the thin strap without altering the construction of the frame and the slide while at the same time providing ease of adjustment. It will be understood, of course, that in the buckle construction shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the loop may pass around only the cross-bar 65 and in front of the cross-bar 6S similarly to the threading shown in Fig. 6, or it may pass around both the cross-bars 65 and 66 in the manner shown in Fig. 5, as may be necessitated by the thickness of the strap.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by theappended claims, w;

to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A slide buckle comprising a frame, a slide having spaced side-bars disposed in longitudinally slidable face-to-face relation with said frame,

' cooperating cross-bars on said frame and said slide, said cooperating cross-bar on said slide being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of the frame and slide to provide a clamping surface facing the other of said cooperating cross-bars to clamp a strap portion threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frame and slide, said cooperating cross-bar on said slide having a transverse slot therein whereby another strap portion may be selectively wrapped around part or all of said slide cross-bar as required by the thickness of said strap portions, both of said strap portions being clamped between said cooperating cross-bars.

2. A slide buckle comprising a frame having a pair of spaced end-bars and a pair of spaced cross-bars defining a single substantially rectangular strap-receiving opening therethrough; and a slide having spaced side-bars disposed in longitudinally slidable face-to-face relation with said frame, said slide including a cross-bar disposed opposite said opening, whereby a strapportion may be threaded through said frameopening from one side of said frame, then over said slide-cross-bar and back through said opening to said one side of said frame; said slide-crossbar having a transverse slot therein whereby another strap-portion may be selectively Wrapped around the portion of said slide-cross-bar on either side of said slot or around both of said slide-cross-bar portions as required by the thickness of said strap portions; one of said portions of said slide-cross-bar including a part disposed out of the plane of said frame oppositely from said one side thereof to effect distortion of the strap portion threaded through said frame and over said one of said portions; and the other of said portions of said slide-cross-bar cooperating with the adjacent frame-cross-bar to clamp said threaded strap portion in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frame and slide.

3. A slide buckle comprising a frame having a pair of spaced end-bars and a pair of spaced cross-bars defining a single substantially rectangular strap-receiving opening therethrough; and a slide having spaced side-bars disposed in longitudinally slidable face-to-face relation with said frame, said slide including a cross-bar disposed opposite said opening, whereby a strapportion may be threaded through said frameopening from one side of said frame, then over said slide-cross-bar and back through said opening to said one side of said frame; said slidecross-bar having a transverse slot therein whereby another strap-portion may be selectively wrapped around the portion of said slide-crossbar on either side of said slot or around both of said slide-cross-bar portions as required by the thickness of said strap portions; one of said portions of said slide-cross-bar including a part disposed out of the plane of said frame oppositely from said one side thereof to effect distortion of the strap portion threaded through said frame and over said one portion; and the other of said portions of said slide-cross-bar being inclined in a plane across the path of relative movement of said frame and slide to provide a sloping strap engaging surface for cooperation with the adjacent frame-cross-bar to clamp said threaded strap-portion in adjusted positions upon relative longitudinal movement of said frame and slide.

4. A slide buckle comprising a frame having spaced end-bars and cross-bars defining a single substantially rectangular strap-receiving opening therethrough; a slide having spaced side-bars disposed in face-to-face relation with said endbars of said frame; cooperating means on said frame and said slide for guiding said slide for relative longitudinal movement; said slide having a cross-bar disposed opposite said opening and of less width than said opening whereby a strapportion may be threaded through said frameopening from one side of said frame, then over said slide-cross-bar and back through said opening to said one side of said frame; said slidecross-bar having a transverse slot therein whereby another strap-portion may be selectively wrapped around the portion of said slide-crossbar on either side of said slot or around both of said slide-cross-bar portions as required by the thickness of said strap portions; one of said portions of said slide-cross-bar extending through said frame opening to the side of said frame opposite from said one side to effect distortion of the threaded strap portion; said one cross-bar portion being adapted, when no strap portion smegma:

liesiibetweena eithert-ziof said;;:slide-:cross-.=bampore; tions and ither adj ac'ent frameecross-b a1,;;. to 'limitv said-:relativelongitudinal movementt'of said? slide: and fram'e'. in :eithen direction by engagement with J said frame -cross-bars and; the other of :saidportions of' said slide-:cross-barz being. inclined inria plane'across the path *1 of relative r-movement' of said? frame "and slide for." cooperation withthe;-

adjacent frame-crossrbar to (clamp saidthreaded strap-portion in' adjusted positionsupon grelative longitudinal imovem'ent of said ."frame'f'and' slide; 5. 'A slider-buckle' comprising a frame; having spaced: end'ebars' and crossebars :defining a single I substantially rectangular,strap+receiving opening therethrough; a slidei having spaced aside-bars disposedinrface-to-facerelation with said end-1 bars. of: said frame ;-';-cooperating means on: said frame and said slide for guiding said slidetorirelative longitudinal movement; said slide having 5- a cross-bar disposed opposite said opening and:

of less width than said opening; whereby? a strapportion may i be threaded :through :said: framei opening from :one sideof said frame; then .over

said slide-cross-bar'and back through saidopen-= ing ito' said one side of-said frame; saidslidecross-bar having a transverseslot'ther'ein'.whereby? another strap-portion may be selectively wrappedaround theportion of said slide-crossbar on either side-of said 'fslotor around both of said slide-toross-bar portions. as required by the thickness 7 of: 'said'astrap ;portion; one .of said portions of said .slide-cross-bar. extending through said ,frameopening'tothe-side of said frame op-' posite from said'one side: to effect, distortion of a the 1 threaded strap portion; said one cross-bar portion beingg adapte'd when no strap portion lies between eitherof saidslide-cross-bar portions and the adjacent frame-.cross-bar, to limit saidrelative-longitudinal movement-of said slide and frame inqeitherdirection by engagement with-said frame-,cross-bars; and the other. portionof said. slide-cross-bar cooperating -withthe adjacent frame cross-leartto clamp said threaded 'strapportionin adjusted-positions.-

6.A;s1ide buckle'comprising-e frame; having spaced end-bars, and crossebars defininga single.

substantially rectangular" strap-receiving opening therethrough;pa'slide having; spaced isidee; bars :disposed; in face-to-face; relation; withsaid erid bars'z-tofi: said; frame fcooperatingzmeanswni said 'i frame (and said? slide for. zguiding-lisaidzslide" fora relative: longitudinal. movement; 1 said-3251mm having a crossabar disposed opposite said opening;- andappfi 'less': width;- than. said opening rwherebyia strap-portion: may rbe threaded"throu hi v584.67

frameeopeningfrom one: side of said frame, then-1 over: said zslide-cross-bar and back through said; opening to said one: side 'of said: frame; said-slidee;

' 10 cross-:bar having a transversevslottherein where-:

by; anotherstrap-"portion' -may be ;-'se1ectively f wrapped around the :por-tionof; said slide-cross! balhOII 61121161551118 oflsaid-slot or around both .-of:- said slideecrossabar portions as: required by th es tion s of-said slide-,crossp-bar extending through:

said;;f rame opening ;to;the side-of said frame-ope? posite from said one sideto eifectdistortionof-z thegthneaded strapflportion; said one cross-bar portionqgbeingadapted zwhen no strap portion REFERENCES CITED The; following references-are of record in the; file :o st is pa nt 7 UNITED STATES" PATENTS Nu'mben Name Date 2394;006 Gorton Nov. 23, 1897; 629,906, Kerngood: Aug. 1,,1899' 1,306,0911 White June 10, 1919 1,502,572 Kerngood Ju1y 22 i924.

FOREIGN PATENTS 7 Number Country Date 1413-77 Great-Britain Apr. 15, 1920 848,680 France July 31, 1939" 

